October 20, 1999
Family Matters did not run in the Oct. 20 issue.
This column ran Oct. 13
FAMILY MATTERS:
Prayer is about more
than God's answer
___Why doesn't God answer my prayers? I pray for things all the time--a girlfriend, football, help on a test, things my family needs--but God never seems to do what I ask.
DEBBIE CHISOLM
Minister to Students
Royal Lane Baptist Church, Dallas
___We all feel that way sometimes. We pray and pray and pray, and nothing seems to happen.
___Different people have different viewpoints about prayer. Some people think if you're not all confessed up, then God won't answer your prayers.
___Many teach the very first thing you should do before you pray is confess all your sins to God.
___I often begin my prayers with a time of self-examination. I do this not because I think God will hear my prayers better, but because I enjoy our time together more when I recognize the things that often separate me from God's presence. I ask the Lord to help me move away from anything that takes my focus from God and puts it on something else.
___There are those who believe our prayers are not answered because we do not have enough faith. They teach that if we have enough faith, then whatever we ask God for, we will receive.
___As I read and study about the great men and women of faith throughout the history of the church, I am overwhelmed with the faith they possessed. Their faith constantly sustained them as they suffered imprisonment, disease, persecution and death.
___In the 11th chapter of Hebrews, there is what some refer to as the Hall of Faith. As you read the final verses, you see that not everyone was protected from sword and lion and fire and death.
___Faith allows us the relationship that lets us come before a faithful God in prayer, but it doesn't mean we get everything we ask God for.
___The wonderful author Oswald Chambers said prayer is not simply getting things from God; it is getting into perfect communion with God.
___So, enjoy your time with the Lord, and remember this is a time for you to connect with God.
___That's what prayer is all about!
___Do you have a question about family matters? Send it to Family Matters, P.O. Box 660267, Dallas 75266-0267.
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